Special Rituals Become More Expensive At Kedarnath & Badrinath Shrines
Here Are The New Fee Rates
Participating in special rituals at the Kedarnath & Badrinath shrines will become more expensive during the Char Dham Yatra, which commences next month. The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has hiked the fees for these rituals and finalized the new rates. At the Badrinath shrine, the fee for organizing a “Shrimad Bhagavat Katha” has been doubled, rising from ₹51,000 to ₹100,000 (₹1 lakh). Meanwhile, at the Kedarnath shrine, devotees will now have to pay a fee of ₹51,000 for a full-day ritual a significant increase from the previous rate of ₹28,600.
While no fee is charged to pilgrims visiting the Char Dham Yatra for general *darshan* (viewing) at the Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines, devotees are required to make advance bookings for special rituals at both holy sites. The BKTC levies fees for these special rituals as well as for the morning and evening “Aarti” ceremonies. This time, the BKTC has revised the fee structure for these rituals and established the new rates. The decision to increase the ritual fees was taken unanimously during a recent meeting of the BKTC Board.
37 Types Of Rituals At Badrinath And 46 At Kedarnath
Various types of *Aarti* ceremonies are performed both in the morning and evening at the Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines. In addition to these, other rituals such as “Mahabhishek”, “Abhishek” accompanied by “Bhog” (sacred food offerings), and various other prayers are also conducted. The BKTC’s list of special rituals comprises 37 distinct types at the Badrinath shrine and 46 distinct types at the Kedarnath shrine. Fees are charged for the performance of these specific rituals. Revised Rates for Puja Fees at Badrinath Temple
Puja Service | Previous Rates | New Rates (In Rupees)
Mahabhishek | 4700 | 5500
Abhishek | 4500 | 5300
Kheer Bhog | 1001 | 2100
Akhand Jyoti (Daily) | 1500 | 2100
Akhand Jyoti (Annual) | 4951 | 6000
Veda & Gita Recitation | 2500 | 3100
Shrimad Bhagavat Katha | 51,000 | 1,00,000
Camphor Aarti | 1951 | 3000
Silver Aarti | 2731 | 5100
Gold Aarti | 5202 | 6100
Bal Bhog | 7301 | 10,000
Mahabhog | 32,501 | 45,000
Revised Rates For Puja Fees At Kedarnath Temple
Puja Service | Previous Rates | New Rates (in Rupees)
Mahabhishek | 9500 | 11,500
Rudrabhishek | 7200 | 7500
Laghu Rudrabhishek | 6100 | 7100
Bal Bhog | 1000 | 1500
Shiva Sahasranama | 2000 | 2500
Akhand Jyoti (Daily) | 3800 | 5100
Full-Day Puja | 28,600 | 51,000
Camphor Aarti | 1900 | 2400
Akhand Jyoti | 28,600 | 35,000
As is the practice every year, new fee rates for special pujas have been established following a decision made during the BKTC Board meeting. These rates will come into effect starting from the upcoming Char Dham Yatra season. It is important to note that no fee of any kind is charged to devotees for “Darshan” (viewing of the deity) at either of the two shrines. — Hemant Dwivedi, Chairman, BKTC
